Why not increase your revenue by adding bird control to your repertoire?

In this article, Alex A. Kecskes, of Bird-B-Gone, explains why birds ought to be prevented from settling on your building, before describing some of the most popular deterrents on the market and the ease with which they can be used.

As a contractor, you've learned that one of the best ways to increase revenue is to increase the number of services you offer your customers. And one of the most revenue enhancing services you can offer today is bird control. Regardless of the size or type of building and no matter what the job, bird proofing is a vital part of protecting any building or structure from the damages imposed by pest birds.

Bird control is essential to protect a building's heating, cooling, ventilation and air conditioning system from falling victim to the damage caused by bird droppings, bird nests and other bird related debris. Your customers know that these systems can be very costly to repair or replace.

The same holds true for a building's plumbing systems, drains, drinking fountains and sprinkler systems. Even the timers that control them must be kept free of bird droppings and other debris to function properly. Likewise, outdoor walkways, tables and chairs used by employees should also be kept free of disease-carrying bird droppings lest they contaminate these and other areas.

Outside lighting and security systems must be kept clear and fully functional to ensure the safety of visitors, customers and employees. Bird droppings and other bird debris can obscure and render these systems ineffective unless bird control measures are installed. Similarly, outer locks, doors and windows can seize up, leaving gaps in a building's security and necessitating expensive repairs.

What's more, many property owners have seen their roofs, exterior facades and signage permanently damaged by pest-bird droppings and nesting materials. The acid in bird droppings can quickly eat into painted signs and plastic mouldings, and they can crumble stone facades. All the more reason your customers will be asking if you also provide bird control services.

Bird control solutions you can offerToday's bird control solutions are humane and highly effective. These scientifically designed bird deterrents are easy to install and virtually maintenance free. Most are visually unobtrusive and balance aesthetics with function. Here are just a few bird control products you can install to boost your revenue...

Bird SpikesBy far one of the most effective bird control products ever developed, Bird Spikes prevent pest birds from landing. The menacing-looking spikes come in stainless steel or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate, and they are blunted, so they are harmless to birds or maintenance crews. Bird Spikes can be used to deter a wide range of birds and work quite effectively on rooftops, signs, building ledges and other outdoor areas. Economical plastic spikes come in white, tan, grey, black, brown, brick red and even crystal clear - to match virtually any structure's exterior decor. They can safely be used near power lines, and they won't interfere with EM transmissions, so you can use them near cell phone and other EM antennae. Bird Spikes come in a variety of widths for optimal coverage of the surface to be treated.

Bird SpidersLike the bird spike, Bird Spiders keep pest birds from landing and nesting. While bird spikes are motionless, a bird spider spins 360 degrees while its arms are free to whip around in the wind to intimidate any pest bird nearby. Bird Spiders come in different sizes: 2, 4, 6 and 8 feet in diameter to cover different sized areas. Optional bases make the Bird Spider adaptable and versatile.

Bird SlopesThese slippery, angled PVC panels make it impossible for birds to get a grip, which means birds can never land; they slip and slide off these panels. This anti-perching, anti-roosting deterrent is effective against all types of birds.

Each section of Bird Slope is 4 feet long, 7 inches wide, and is sold 48 feet per box.The slope is made of a UV protected outdoor grade PVC and can be glued down to most surfaces. It is ideal for use on eaves, ledges, beams and other 90-degree areas.

If extra coverage is needed, Bird Slope Extenders are available. Bird Slope can cover ledges up to 6.5 inches wide alone and the snap on extender provides total coverage of up to 10 inches wide.

Bird GelApplied with ease using a standard caulking gun, Bird Gels are a pest bird's nemesis. The sticky chemical never quite dries and stays gooey to the touch. Birds land on this stuff and it tugs at their toes and makes them feel trapped, which is one thing all birds fear. Gels are ideal for use on ledges, conduit, pipes, and parapet walls.

Bird NettingA physical bird deterrent, Bird Netting, creates a barrier that excludes pest birds from a particular area. The netting comes in different mesh sizes to deny pest birds access without trapping them. For large birds such as pigeons and seagulls, a 1-1/8 inch to 2 inch mesh size is best. For smaller birds like sparrows and starlings, a 3/4 inch mesh works well.

Choose non-conductive netting in areas where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference presents a problem.The best heavy-duty bird netting is made of high strength polyethylene - ideal for factories, warehouses, and other demanding applications. Today, you can even get netting in different colours, like white, stone and black, to blend in with a building's decor. Black bird netting offers natural uv protection and won't discolour when it gets dirty and dusty.

Electric TracksDesigned to give pest birds a healthy jolt of juice without harming them, Electric Tracks are both humane and highly effective. The electrified tracks are ideal for deterring pigeons, seagulls and larger birds from buildings and structures.

The best electric tracks feature a flow-through design that won't allow water to pool around them to damage surrounding areas.

Sonic Bird DeterrentsHighly effective in deterring a wide variety of pest birds, Sonic Bird control systems broadcast predator and distress calls to frighten pest birds. They are both humane and easy to use. The best sonic systems will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds. This prevents birds from getting used to any one specific sound.

One sonic system blasts the sound of Peregrine falcons (a pigeon's arch-enemy) defending their territory. Another emits predator hawk screeches and gulls under attack - perfect for convincing gulls to move on. Still another popular system emits distress and predator calls for as many as 22 types of birds.

Many systems can be set up to emit distress and predator calls day or night. Extra speakers can be added to expand the coverage radius up to six acres.